roman empire lesson 5: the legacy of rome

BELL WORK1. What does the word

“legacy” mean?2. People who are famous or

powerful are often called “legends”. List a person who you consider to be a legend and explain why.

OBJECTIVE & STANDARD

7.1 Analyze the legacy of the Roman Empire.

I can analyze the legacy of the Roman Empire.

THE LEGACY OF ROME

MAIN IDEA:Rome passed on many achievements in government,

law, language and the arts to future generations.

THE LEGACY OF ROMAN WORDSDo you know where the words “doctor”, “animal”,

“circus” and “family” come from the Latin language, which was spoken by the Romans.

THE LEGACY OF ROME• Much of the world’s knowledge about construction

comes from the Romans. • Early Romans borrowed architectural ideas from the

Greeks, but they also developed their own style.

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE• Roman designs often included vaults, columns,

domes and arches. • New architectural ideas meant that buildings could

be constructed in brand new ways.

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE• Because of concrete and a new design, Roman theaters

did not have to be built on natural slopes to have tied seating…early Greek theaters are only found on slopes.

GREEK THEATER

ROMAN THEATER

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE• Columns, domes and arches still appear in

many modern buildings. • Banks, homes and government buildings

often use a Roman style. • Can you think of a building with columns?

ROMAN IDEAS & GOVERNMENT• Roman ideas about law, as first written in the

Twelve Tables, are with us today. • We, like the Romans, believe that all people are

equal under the law and should be treated fairly.

ROMAN IDEAS & GOVERNMENT• Roman ideas about government and citizenship are also

important today in the United States. • Like early Romans, Americans believe that a republic

made up of equal citizens is the best government.

ROMAN GOVERNMENTMagistrates-another name for a government official

Consuls-the 2 most powerful magistrates in Rome

Roman Senate-Council of powerful Romans who advised the city’s leaders

Forum-Rome’s public meeting place which housed the government, temples, and an open market

ROMAN INFLUENCE ON LANGUAGE• Today the alphabet of the Latin language, which

expanded from 22 to 26 letters, and is used throughout the Western World.

• Latin shaped the languages of Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Romania. These are called the

Romantic languages.

ROMAN INFLUENCE ON CULTURE• When you visit Washington D.C., or the capital city of any

state, you will likely see buildings with domes and arches that are directly inspired by Roman architecture.

ROMANS & CHRISTIANITY• As you probably know, Christianity is one of the

major religions in the world today. • Christianity really began in the Roman Empire.

ROMANS & CHRISTIANITY• When Rome's government adopted Christianity in the 300’s C.E. it helped the new religion to grow and spread.

• After Rome’s fall, many Roman ideas blended with those of Christianity.

THE LEGACY OF ROME

Listening Check: Which aspects of the Roman Empire are still present in our

culture today?

Write a thank you card to the Romans thanking them for 3

contributions to the world. Also, explain how each contribution

benefits you!

WRITINGPROMPT

SWAP CARDS

1. Swap thank you cards with your partner.

2. Read about the contributions they listed.

3.Lets review all of the contributions as a class!

Vocabulary Overview1. Who are the common people of Rome (peasants, traders, and workers?

Plebeians2. Who are the powerful nobles of Rome (wealthy citizens and nobles)?

Patricians3. Who are the elected officials who represented the people?

Magistrates4. Who are the two most powerful magistrates who were elected to run the city and army?

Consuls5. What is the council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised the city’s leaders?

Roman Senate6. What is the name of the Roman language?

Latin7. What are the 12 bronze tablets of Roman laws displayed in Rome.

The Law of the 12 Tables8. What is the name of Rome’s public meeting place/building. This is known as the heart of Rome as people went there to meet, shop, chat, and gossip.

The Forum

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